Cape Town opens nature reserves for free access
Cape Town will let residents enjoy select nature reserves for free on Heritage Day. Here’s the list…
The City of Cape Town will open all its nature reserves for free on Heritage Day, 24 September 2025.
This one-day offer covers selected reserves that normally charge an entrance fee, giving families and nature lovers a chance to enjoy the city’s natural beauty at no cost.
Visitors can explore hiking and walking trails, relax at picnic spots, and make use of designated braai facilities.
A day to celebrate natural heritage
Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews, urged residents to spend the public holiday exploring Cape Town’s natural spaces.
“It’s Heritage Month and we want to showcase our natural heritage in Cape Town. We are so privileged to be surrounded by pristine natural beauty. This Heritage Day, we encourage residents to explore their local nature reserve or venture further to discover one they’ve never visited before—whether for a hike before the braai or a peaceful family picnic,” Alderman Andrews said.
He pointed out two popular destinations: Blaauwberg Nature Reserve, which features the Eerste Steen braai facility, one of the city’s top beach braai spots, and False Bay Nature Reserve, which offers Zeekoevlei braai facilities with scenic water views.
Free entry nature reserves
Free access on Heritage Day applies to the following reserves:
- Table Bay Nature Reserve
- Blaauwberg Nature Reserve
- Tygerberg Nature Reserve
- Helderberg Nature Reserve
While entry is free at these reserves, regular charges for certain permitted recreational activities still apply.
Beyond the reserves with waived entry fees, Cape Town also manages the following sites, all open for residents to visit:
- Bothasig Fynbos Nature Reserve
- Botterblom Nature Reserve
- Bracken Nature Reserve
- Durbanville Nature Reserve
- Edith Stephens Nature Reserve
- False Bay Nature Reserve
- Harmony Flats Nature Reserve
- Steenbras Nature Reserve
- Uitkamp Wetland Nature Reserve
- Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve
- Wolfgat Nature Reserve
- Zandvlei Nature Reserve